Chelsea have target to offer something different in attacking midfield

Kevin-Prince Boateng’s previous two spells in the Premier League may have been largely underwhelming, but Jose Mourinho seems keen to give the AC Milan midfielder a chance to make it third time lucky at Chelsea.

Boateng has proved a far greater success at Milan than he ever was at Tottenham and Portsmouth, with his physical qualities of strength and power in an attack-minded midfield role establishing him as a key first-team cog.

Chelsea are already blessed with their fair share of more common attacking midfielders in Oscar, Eden Hazard and Juan Mata, who between them an eye for a killer pass, the balance to drift beyond opponents and the deft of touch to clock up the assists.

Boateng would offer something different from a similar position, notably power and energy which could be an asset in certain Premier League games, alongside the fact that he is better than any of the other trio in a defensive sense.

These attributes could also give Mourinho the option of employing Boateng in a more restrained central midfield role, which is not the plan B that he really has with the others at present.

Recent reports suggest that talks are not particularly advanced, with Mourinho supposedly saying that he wants to sign “footballers and not models” and having jibes at Boateng’s regular need for a new hairstyle, but Chelsea have met with the agent of the Milan midfielder.

However, competition may come from Bayern Munich for Boateng’s signature, with speculation that they are considering offering €5m plus his brother Jerome Boateng.

Given that Milan conceded more goals this season than in either of their last two campaigns, the chances to add the younger Boateng brother to their ranks might be a wise move, especially as they haven’t really replaced Thiago Silva since selling him to PSG.

Chelsea are 9/4 to win the Premier League next season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.